The purpose of this notice is to announce a request for proposal RFP NIH-ES-06-05. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is soliciting
proposals for the purpose of providing and operating the Respiratory Toxicology
Group (RTOX) inhalation facility and performing animal studies. This includes
setting up the inhalation facility in a suitable building provided by the
contractor; conducting the daily operation of the exposure facility; operating
an animal facility; and conducting studies as directed by study protocols.

The mandatory qualification criteria of the inhalation
facility being located within 15 minutes driving time of the NIEHS main campus,
111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 must be met at
the time of award.

The contractor shall provide 1) an inhalation exposure
facility and staff dedicated exclusively to the support of NIEHS studies;
2) on-site space for the NIEHS Respiratory Toxicology Group which is independently
secured from the rest of the facility; and 3) all components of the Inhalation
Facility and the support areas including offices and laboratories shall be
located on one site.

The technical capabilities of the inhalation exposure facility
have been tailored specifically to support the research needs of the Respiratory
Toxicology Group and other groups within the Institute. Flexibility is a
major factor in the design and operation of the exposure facility. The specific
types of inhalation studies to be performed will be entirely dependent on
the Institute’s needs for inhalation research. Exposure systems have been
designed to allow configuration for a variety of study designs with a minimum
of custom modifications. Computer control of exposures provides a safe, well
controlled, and well-documented exposure environment. The contractor shall
maintain complete and up-to-date documentation of all technical aspects of
the facility design and operations. An inhalation facility is composed of
four (4) distinct work areas - exposure, animal care, technical support, and
staff areas.

Total approximate facility space = 13,000 square feet.
Approval of final configuration of the facility rests with the government.

It is anticipated the resulting cost-reimbursement, level-of-effort
contract will be for a period of 4 year and 3, 2-year option periods. For
estimating purposes the Government estimated the level-of effort at 43,524
direct labor hours per year as follows: Professional – 9579 direct labor
hours ;Technical - 7440 direct labor hours); Animal Husbandry Staff – 26,040
direct labor hours; Administrative Support - 465 direct labor hours.

The specific studies will be designed based on research
requirements originating within the NIEHS. It is not possible to anticipate
the specific projects in advance.

The contract will include Government Furnished Equipment
(GFE) such as computers and specialized inhalation studies equipment. Contractor
provided material shall include genetically altered rats/mice; general office
supplies; and animal supplies such as tyvek suits and bedding; and all anesthetics,
drugs and controlled substances used in veterinary medicine.

Proposals to this solicitation are due on June 26, 2006.
Interested organizations should fax a request for RFP NIH-ES-06-05 to the
attention of Carolyn N. Flowers, Contract Specialist at (919) 541-2712 or
send an e-mail request to flowers3@niehs.nih.gov. All responsible sources
may submit a proposal, which shall be considered by the Agency. The electronic
version of the FedBizOpps synopsis is available at: http://www2.fbo.gov/spg/HHS/NIH/NIEHS/NIH%2DES%2D06%2D05/SynopsisP.html.
This requirement is unrestricted. NAICS Code is 541710.